Hidden Restrictions:
How MSTR® Supports Recovery After Caesarean Section
Discover how McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release® can help restore comfort, mobility, and connection after C-section surgery.
Research
Introduction
A Common Surgery with Lasting Impact
Caesarean section is one of the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide. While the procedure is often lifesaving, many women experience lasting physical and emotional effects from their surgical scar long after the initial wound has healed.
Beyond the visible line on the skin, a C-section incision cuts through multiple layers of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, peritoneum, and uterus. Each layer must heal independently, and as they do, scar tissue forms. Over time, this can lead to adhesions - fibrous bridges that connect tissues and organs that were once separate.
Subtle but Significant Restrictions
For many clients, these adhesions create subtle but significant restrictions:
1
Physical Sensations
Tightness or pulling sensations across the lower abdomen.
2
Musculoskeletal Effects
Lower back or hip discomfort.
3
Functional Changes
Digestive or urinary changes.
4
Movement Patterns
Reduced ease of breathing or postural asymmetry.
5
Emotional Impact
A sense of emotional disconnection from the lower body.
While these symptoms are common, they are often overlooked or accepted as "normal."
This is precisely where MSTR® can make a meaningful difference.
The Nature of a Caesarean Scar
A C-section incision is typically horizontal and low on the abdomen (a "Pfannenstiel" incision). In most cases, the skin heals neatly within 6–8 weeks. However, beneath the surface, deeper layers may remain restricted for years.
Fascial planes that once allowed smooth glide between abdominal wall, viscera, and pelvic structures can become tethered. This can affect:
  • Pelvic floor function: Altered load transmission and increased tension across pelvic fascia.
  • Posture: Compensatory changes through the lumbar spine, hip flexors, and diaphragm.
  • Circulation: Reduced local microcirculation and lymph flow in the lower abdomen.
  • Visceral mobility: Restricted motion of bladder, uterus, and intestines.
Such limitations can manifest as pain, reduced mobility, and even emotional guarding around the area. Clients may report that their abdomen "doesn't feel part of them anymore" or that they feel "numb" or "cut off" from their lower torso.
Why Adhesions Form
Scar tissue is the body's natural attempt to repair and stabilize injured tissue. During healing, fibroblasts produce collagen to close the wound gap. When healing occurs across multiple layers, collagen may be laid down in disorganized patterns that link tissues together—creating adhesions.
Adhesions may also be influenced by:
Infection or delayed wound healing.
Repeated surgeries (e.g., multiple C-sections).
Limited early movement or poor scar mobility.
Individual collagen tendencies (some people overproduce fibrous tissue).

Research suggests that up to 50–60% of women develop some degree of abdominal adhesion following a C-section. although many remain undiagnosed.
Functional Effects of Adhesions
Adhesions can interfere with the natural "sliding" between abdominal layers. When tissues that should glide begin to stick, the body compensates elsewhere.
Common downstream effects include:
Low back or sacroiliac pain
The fascial link between abdominal wall, psoas, and lumbar fascia can alter postural dynamics.
Hip or groin tightness
Fascial continuity from the incision into the iliacus and adductor chains.
Digestive changes
Restricted visceral motion can subtly influence peristalsis and bowel motility.
Breathing mechanics
A restricted lower abdominal wall can limit diaphragmatic descent, altering breath depth and rib expansion.
Emotional holding
Scars may carry emotional significance, particularly around childbirth experiences or surgical trauma.
Even when the scar appears healed externally, these deeper adaptations can persist for years—until the restrictions are addressed.
How MSTR® Supports Recovery
MSTR® is a gentle, precise manual technique designed to improve the mobility and function of scar tissue and adhesions. By applying specific, rhythmical movements at the scar site, MSTR® aims to:
  • Improve tissue elasticity by stimulating fibroblast activity and encouraging collagen remodeling.
  • Enhance microcirculation and lymph flow, supporting tissue oxygenation and healing.
  • Restore neural communication through the skin and superficial fascia, improving local sensory feedback.
  • Release emotional holding as awareness and mobility return to the area.
Unlike deep or forceful massage, MSTR® relies on sensitivity and subtlety. The practitioner works with the tissue—not against it—encouraging the scar to reorganize naturally.
Timing and Safety Considerations
MSTR® should only be applied when the scar is fully healed and stable, at least eight weeks post-surgery, though later is often preferable.
Practitioners should:
  • Confirm medical clearance if any complications occurred.
  • Avoid areas of inflammation, infection, or unhealed tissue.
  • Use minimal pressure, respecting the client's comfort and feedback.
  • Be aware of the client's emotional state. C-section scars can evoke strong feelings related to childbirth experiences.
MSTR® can also be effective years or even decades after surgery, as fibrotic tissue remains responsive to gentle mechanical input.
Client Benefits Observed by Practitioners
MSTR® practitioners frequently report that clients experience:
Physical Release
A feeling of lightness or release across the lower abdomen.
Postural Improvement
Improved postural ease and spinal mobility.
Sensory Reconnection
Increased sensation and warmth in the scar area.
Symptom Reduction
Reduction in local discomfort or pulling sensations.
Emotional Wellbeing
Emotional relief or reconnection with the body.
Follow-up sessions may reveal improved mobility in adjacent regions such as the hips, pelvis, or diaphragm—highlighting the interconnected nature of the body's response.
Integrating MSTR® with Other Approaches
MSTR® can be easily integrated into existing complementary practice with methods such as:
Abdominal Release
Gentle abdominal release work (once the scar itself is mobile).
Breathing Re-education
Breathing re-education to restore diaphragm motion.
Pelvic Floor Work
Pelvic floor awareness and functional movement retraining.
Complementary Techniques
Visceral or myofascial techniques (where within your professional remit).
This integrated approach aligns well with fascial integration, chiropractic and osteopathic philosophy - restoring global function through local precision.
Case Example (Composite Summary)
A 28-year-old woman, five years post-C-section, reported persistent tightness and low back pain. The scar appeared pale and well-healed but was firm and mildly tethered to deeper tissue.
After Treatment
After two MSTR® sessions spaced a week apart, she reported:
  • Noticeably improved abdominal softness.
  • Greater comfort in standing and bending.
  • Reduction in back pain during daily activities.
  • A feeling of reconnection with her lower abdomen.
The improvement persisted at follow-up, with the scar visibly more pliable and skin tone healthier. Such outcomes, while anecdotal, are frequently echoed in practitioner reports worldwide.
The Emotional Dimension
For many women, a C-section is a profound experience—sometimes planned, sometimes not. The scar can carry emotional weight linked to childbirth expectations, surgical trauma, or body image.
MSTR®'s gentle, non-invasive approach creates a safe space where clients can reconnect with an area they may have unconsciously avoided. Restoring mobility often brings a sense of wholeness and acceptance—a key part of the healing journey.
Research and Theoretical Rationale
Although research on manual scar release is still emerging, several scientific principles support the rationale for MSTR®:
Mechanotransduction
Gentle mechanical input can influence fibroblast behaviour, promoting realignment of collagen fibres.
Improved Microcirculation
Light manual stimulation increases local capillary perfusion and tissue oxygenation.
Neuroplastic Response
Restoring sensory input at the scar site may enhance brain–body mapping, reducing protective tension.
These mechanisms align with observed clinical outcomes of improved tissue mobility, temperature normalization, and sensory reconnection.
When to Refer
Practitioners should always work collaboratively within a client's healthcare team. Referral or medical input is appropriate if:
Persistent Symptoms
There is persistent pain, swelling, or unusual discharge.
Systemic Concerns
The client experiences systemic symptoms (e.g. fever, fatigue).
Structural Issues
There are concerns about hernia, endometriosis, or visceral involvement.
Special Circumstances
The client is pregnant or has another recent abdominal surgery.

Important: MSTR® should complement, not replace, medical follow-up and physical therapy.
Conclusion
Beyond the Surface
A Caesarean scar may look small, but its effects can extend far beyond the visible line. Restriction in the abdominal wall and deeper fascial layers can subtly influence movement, posture, breathing, and emotional wellbeing.
MSTR® offers practitioners a safe, effective, and deeply respectful way to support recovery, whether it's months or years after the surgery. By restoring freedom and sensitivity to the scar, we help clients reclaim comfort, confidence, and connection with their bodies.